Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday

Ongoing Upcoming

DAC hosts Four Corners Commission
Black Water Gospel plays Steamworks

Submit items for On the Town to: 534 Main Ave., Durango, CO, 81301; fax: ( 970) 259-0448; e-mail: telegraph@durangotelegraph.com ; or fill out this form

The 13th annual Southwest Business Forum takes place from 7:30-11:30 a.m. in Room 130 Noble Hall. Admission is free. This year's event is entitled "Focus on Our Future: Business and Economics." 247-7294 for details.

Pongas, 121 E. Eighth St., hosts a singles, 8-ball pool tournament at 7 p.m. 382-8554 for details.

The Sound Liberation Peace Choir meets from 7-8:30 p.m. at the Heartlight Wholistic Health Center, 97 W. North St. in Bayfield. 884-9216 for details.

Scoot 'n Blues, 800 Main Ave., presents the Crossroads, a local musicians' jam hosted by blues rock musician Jeff Strahan, at 8 p.m. 259-1400 for details.

Durango Joe's, 732 E. College, presents Open Mic Night from 8:30-11 p.m. Sign-ups for the talent contest begin at 8:30 p.m. 375-2121 for details.

DJs El Beau and Irah spin music at the Summit, 600 Main Ave., at 10 p.m. 247-2324 for details.

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Early Stages Productions presents "Life, Love and Laughter- A Musical Revue Featuring Local Ladies of all Ages" at 7:30 p.m. at the Diamond Circle Theatre, 699 Main Ave. The one-time-only event features local acting talents and the music of Broadway composers Irving Berlin, Kander and Ebb, Jerry Herman, Maltby and Shire, Alan Menken, William Finn, and others. 375-7135 for details.

Sugarhouse plays a free show of rock and blues at Scoot 'n Blues, 800 Main Ave., beginning at 8 p.m. 259-1400 for details.

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The monthly Contra Dance takes place at the VFW Hall, 1515 Main Ave., with beginner instruction at 7 p.m. and dancing from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. Local musician Gary Giannini and friends will provide live music and Artie Walch from Albuquerque will return to call the smoke- and alcohol-free dance. 259-6820 for details.

The Dances of Universal Peace takes place at 7 p.m. at the Mason Center, 301 E. 12th St. 385-7375 for details.

Scoot 'n Blues, 800 Main Ave., hosts Saturday Night Live, "the world's best karaoke," starting at 8 p.m. 259-1400 for details.

The 8th Avenue Tavern hosts karaoke from 8 p.m.-2 a.m. at 509 E. 8th Ave. 259-8801 for details.

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Scoot 'n Blues, 800 Main Ave., hosts music from Kirk James from 6-9 p.m. 259-1400 for details.

Pongas hosts free pool after 6 p.m. at 121 W. 8th St. 382-8554 for details.

The Blue Moon Ramblers play bluegrass at the Diamond Belle Saloon, 699 Main Ave., from 7-10 p.m. 375-7150 for details.

The 8th Avenue Tavern hosts karaoke from 8 p.m.-2 a.m. at 509 E. 8th Ave. 259-8801 for details.

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The La Plata County Board of County Commissioners will host a reception to honor Josh Joswick upon the conclusion of his 12 years in office as a county commissioner. The event takes place from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at the La Plata County Courthouse Anasazi Room, 1060 E. Second Ave. 382-6219 for details.

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The Women's Resource Center hosts its annual White Elephant Auction at 5:30 p.m. at the Bank of Colorado, 119 Main Ave. Unusual gifts will be auctioned off with bids starting as low as $1. 247-1242 for details.

The local chapter of the National Organization for Women (NOW) hosts an action meeting from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at the home at 465 E. Sixth Ave. Objectives for the coming year will be set and the public is welcome to the meeting. 375-7822 for details.

Tuesday Trivia takes place at Lady Falconburgh's, 640 Main Ave., at 8 p.m. 382-9664.

Scoot 'n Blues, 900 Main Ave., presents King Karaoke with Steve Kahler beginning at 8 p.m. 259-1400 for details.

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The Green Business Roundtable reconvenes at noon at the Diamond Circle Theatre, 699 Main Ave. This month's topic is the basics of hybrids. Guest speaker Mike Rockos will explain how hybrid vehicles work and how they reduce emissions and dependency on oil. Informal test rides will follow. 375-3099 for details.

Fort Lewis College's Outdoor Pursuits hosts a slide show and talk by Sean Isaac, world-class climber and adventurer at 7 p.m. in 130 Noble Hall. Isaac has been involved in expeditions to Peru, Patagonia, Pakistan, Kyrgyzstan, Baffin Island and other far-flung locales. 247-7293 for details.

Scoot 'n Blues, 800 Main Ave., presents the "Men of Playgirl Magazine," a women's only event from 8-10:30 p.m. A dance party follows. 259-1400 for details.

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The Abbey Theatre, 128 E. College, will continue to screen "Vera Drake" and "The Story of the Weeping Camel" this week. "Vera Drake" is an acclaimed film that follows a selfless woman who is totally dedicated to her loving, working-class family. However, Vera also has a secret side and visits women and helps them to induce miscarriages for their unwanted pregnancies. "Vera Drake" has already 4 won the Golden Lion for Best Picture and Best Actressat the Venice International Film Festival.The film shows nightly at 6 & 8:40 p.m. The Abbey will also continue to screen "The Story of the Weeping Camel" nightly at 4 p.m. For information, call 385-1711.

Karyn Gabaldon Fine Arts, 680 Main Ave. "on the corner," hosts its January show, the 2005 Snowdown Art Exhibition for the La Plata Open Space Conservancy. Featured artists includeSharon Abshagan,Maryellen Morrow,Paul Folwell, John Cogan,Mike Desatnick, Karl Brenner,Don Cooke,Eileen Fjerstad,Karyn Gabaldon,Connie Morse,Bill Randall and Dave Sime. 247-9018 for details.

The Children's Museum, 802 E. Second Ave., will be closed through Jan. 11 to change its exhibit. The new exhibit will be entitled, "Playing to Learn: Learning to Play," and is centered on the importance of healthy play for children. Volunteers are needed to help remove the existing exhibit and build the new one. The museum will reopen on Wednesday, Jan. 12 and an opening reception for the new exhibit will be held on Jan. 14. 259-9234 for details.

The San Juan Mountains Association, San Juan Public Lands and Durango Mountain Resort are offering guided snowshoe treks at Durango Mountain Resort. The treks are held upon request and can accommodate groups or individuals. Free guided nature tours also are offered every Sunday during the ski season. Tours are 1`BD hours long and meet at 9:45 a.m. at the base of the Twilight Lift (#4). Skiers and boarders should have beginner to intermediate ability. Call 247-900, Ext. 147 for details.

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The Friends of the Canyons of the Ancients are holding a Jan. 13 informational meeting at the Main Book Co. in Cortez. 759-9716 for details.

Cross Canadian Ragweed returns to Durango with a Jan. 13 show at the Wildhorse Saloon.

The Durango Chamber of Commerce hosts its Annual Awards Celebration on Jan. 13. The theme of this year's event is "Together We Shine."

Jazz, funk trumpet player Carlos Washington returns to Durango with a Jan. 15 show at the Summit.

The Gong Show is returning to Snowdown again and auditions will be held Jan. 16 at the Abbey Theatre. Check www.durangogongshow.com or call 259-0226 for details.

An all-ages show featuring music from Uzi Suicide and Letdowns takes place Jan. 16 at the FLC Xtreme Room.

A Kryon Reading and Metaphysical Discussion group meets at Durango Joe's on Jan. 17.

Oakhaven Permaculture Center and the Fort Lewis College Environmental Center are co-hosting a series of workshops on Practical Home Design beginning with a free one-hour overview Jan. 19. 259-5445 for details.

The Hesperus Ski Patrol will offer its first "A Common Sense Approach to Avalanches" school on Jan. 19, 20 & 22. 247-4617 for details.

The Silverton Avalanche School offers a Level 1 class from Jan. 21-23. www.silvertonavalancheschool.com for details.

KDUR's Ramones Cover Night takes place Jan. 22 at the Abbey Theatre.

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DAC hosts Four Corners Commission What: The annual juried exhibit celebrating the Four Corners region Where: The Durango Arts Center, 802 E. Second When: Jan. 7-Feb. 5 with a Jan. 7 opening reception The highly anticipated Four Corners Commission takes over the Durango Arts Center beginning this week. Now in its 10th year, this regional juried exhibit celebrates the uniqueness of the life, land and history of the Four Corners region. All artwork selected for the exhibit by the juror will reflect the Four Corners theme. The exhibit runs from Jan. 7-Feb. 5, and an opening reception takes place Jan. 7 from 5-7 p.m. Juror Krista Elrick will judge the exhibit. Elrick is an adjunct professor of art history at the College of Santa Fe. Elrick is also a noted Santa Fe photographer and will present a slide lecture at the Jan. 7 opening. The winner of the exhibit's "Best in Show" award receives $500 and will have his or her image reproduced on a large-format postcard to be sold throughout the year. Other prizes include a $150 Honorable Mention, a $75 Merit Award and a People's Choice Award. In addition to the Four Corners Commission, the Durango Arts Center is hosting "Books and Beyond" in the DAC Art Library. The exhibit features books by local artists Tara Churchill, Maria Kompare, Bev Taylor and Janey Vann. The books explore everything from grandmothers and kids to the sun, moon and stars, and Frida Kahlo. Gallery hours are Tuesdays through Saturdays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. For more information, contact DAC at 259-2606.

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Black Water Gospel plays Steamworks What: A Pint Night concert with the Austin, Texas, band Where: Steamworks, 801 E. Second Ave. When: Thursday, Jan. 6, at 10 p.m. Alt-country from Austin takes center stage at Steamworks this Thursday, Jan. 6, when Black Water Gospel plays the bar for the always popular Pint Night. "A Y'alternative rock band" were the words used to describe the unique sound of Black Water Gospel by the band's guitarist Jessie Duke.The band got its start in San Marcos, Texas, when a simple twist of fate united Juan Gutierrez and Duke.The two started as an acoustic duo and went on to recruit three other members, rounding out the line-up into a twang tour de force. Black Water Gospel is a band that belts out a unique blend of rock, old school country, indie rock, soul, and bluegrass/gospel. With a heart for cooking up songs/images from the past and injecting the fervor of youth, Black Water Gospel is a sheep in wolf's clothing. In its two-year history, the band has shared the stage with such artists as the Derailers, Bob Schneider, Graham Nash, Reckless Kelly, Vallejo, Corry Morrow, Dennis Quaid and The Sharks, and ex members of the Eagles. BWG has sold out shows at Lucy's on the square, a prestigious venue in San Marcos, and repeatedly rocked Antone's and Ego's in Austin. Lead singer, guitarist and principle songwriter Guiterrez also will be featured on the soundtrack to the up-and-coming film "Tom's Wife," which has showcased at the Houston International Filmfest. The Steamworks show represents the band's first visit to Durango and one of the few live music opportunities available to Durangoans this week. The music gets under way around 10 p.m. For more information, call 259-9200.

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